Article 10. Neighborhood Center Zoning District: NC
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10.1 PURPOSE
The NC Neighborhood Center Zoning District is intended to support a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use neighborhood environment, allowing access to daily shopping needs and services within walking distance of nearby residential neighborhoods. The NC Zoning District provides for a mix of commercial and service uses, closely integrated within the surrounding residential neighborhood fabric to support the concept of a complete neighborhood. Both vertical and horizontal mixed-use development is encouraged.
10.2 USES
Article 15 lists permitted, temporary, and accessory uses for the Neighborhood Center Zoning District. Use definitions are found in Article 15. Prescribed conditions applicable to certain principal uses, temporary uses, and accessory uses are also found in Article 15.
10.3 DIMENSIONAL AND DESIGN STANDARDS
The tables below include the dimensional and design standards for the Neighborhood Center Zoning District. Standards within the tables below may contain specific regulations organized by frontage type (Section 3.5). In the tables below, where a cell contains a standard or a “✔” the standard is applicable. Where a cell is blank and shaded, the standard does not apply.
- General
- Within the NC Zoning District, the following shall apply to multi-family attached residential developments:
- If a minimum 25’ Class B landscape yard, measured from the future right-of-way line, abuts and runs parallel to an arterial street, the portion of the arterial street abutting this landscape yard shall not be considered a frontage for the standards of this article. The portion of the arterial street abutting this landscape yard shall still be considered a frontage for the standards of the remainder of this Ordinance. No parking lots shall be located between these landscape yards and permitted uses
- Within the NC Zoning District, the following shall apply to multi-family attached residential developments:
- Building Siting
Building siting standards govern the placement of buildings on lots, and are intended to ensure that development maintains compatibility with its surrounding context and with the intent of the applicable zoning district.
Table 10-1: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Lot Standards
NC | ||
---|---|---|
A | Frontage Setback Line (from future back of curb) (feet) 1, 2 | |
Uptown Signature | 24 | |
Main Street | 24 | |
Linear Park | 36 | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 20 | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 24 | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | 20 | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park 3 | 5 | |
Uptown Primary | 20 | |
Other – Primary | 20 | |
Uptown Secondary | 16 | |
Secondary | 16 | |
Parkway (Measured from ROW) | 20 | |
Limited Access (Measured from ROW) | 10 | |
B | Frontage Build-To Zone (BTZ) (from frontage setback line) (feet) 4, 5 | |
Main Street | 0-20 | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 0-20 | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 0-20 | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | 0-20 | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 0-20 | |
Other – Primary | 0-20 | |
Secondary | 0-20 | |
Parkway | ||
Limited Access | ||
C | Minimum BTZ Build-To Percentage for Structure (%) | |
Main Street | 80 | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 80 | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 80 | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | 80 | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 80 | |
Other – Primary | 80 | |
Secondary | 60 | |
Parkway | ||
Limited Access | ||
D | Minimum Side Setback (feet) | |
Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 0 | |
Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 10 | |
E | Minimum Rear Setback (feet) | |
Not abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 0 | |
Abutting Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 20 |
2 In no case shall any building entry be located closer than six feet to an existing or proposed off-street public path or shared use path.
3 For the transit station, off-street public path, public park frontage, shall be measured from a property line or right-of-way line. If there is an easement in place for any frontage, then the measurement shall be taken from such easement. For any frontage abutting a reservation for a future frontage, the frontage setback line shall be measured from the edge of the reservation area.
4 When an existing Charlotte Water easement, other utility easement, or overhead utility clearance requirement conflicts with the build-to zone requirement, a build-to line shall be established at the edge of the easement or edge of the overhead utility clearance requirement closest to the build-to zone. A build-to zone shall not be required along frontages which abut a man-made or natural physical feature 35 feet in width or greater such as, but not limited to, a railroad line, rapid transit line, gas pipeline, SWIM buffer, or a buffer related to post-construction stormwater requirements. This does not include any stormwater control measure as required by this Ordinance.
5 Where a lot has more than two frontages that require a build-to zone, the build-to zone shall be increased by 100% for those frontages that exceed two. Such an increase should be applied to those frontages that are lowest in the established hierarchy of frontages (Section 3.5.D)
- Building Height
Building height standards govern the minimum and maximum heights of buildings as applicable and are intended to provide flexibility while maintaining appropriate transitions to adjacent areas.
Table 10-2: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Building Height Standards
NC | ||
---|---|---|
A | Minimum Building Height (feet) 1 | 16 |
B | Maximum Building Height (feet) 2 | 65 |
C | Maximum Height with Bonus (feet) (Section 16.3) 2, 3 | 80 |
2 The height and location of structures may be restricted by the limitations set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14 Part 77: Safe, Efficient Use, and Preservation of the Navigable Airspace. A notice of proposed construction FAA Form 7460-1 must be filed with the FAA for construction or alteration that impacts any of the imaginary surfaces as defined in 14 CFR Part 77, or is more than 200 feet in height above the ground at its site at least 45 days prior to construction. The Aviation Department Planning Division may serve as a point of contact for information regarding building notification requirements and obstruction evaluation.
3 The maximum building height of any structure within 200 feet from the lot line of residential uses or vacant land in a Neighborhood 1 Place Type is limited as follows: Portions of a structure within the first 100 feet are limited to a maximum height of 50 feet. Portions of a structure located between 100 and 200 feet are limited to a maximum height of 65 feet. Beyond 200 feet, the building height is limited by the maximum height of the zoning district. Building heights for all portions of a structure shall be measured from the average grade established for the whole building. This limitation does not apply to public parks of 3 acres or greater within a Neighborhood 1 Place Type, nor to an area of two or fewer parcels totaling no more than three acres within a Neighborhood 1 Place Type.
- Building Articulation
Building articulation standards govern the dimensions of building facade elements and entry features, and are intended to facilitate the enhancement of a pedestrian-oriented environment.
Table 10-3: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Building Articulation Standards
NC | ||
---|---|---|
A | Minimum Building Length as a Percentage of Lot Width Along Frontage (Measured at Frontage Setback Line) (%) 1, 9, 10 | |
Main Street | 60 | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 60 | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 60 | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | 60 | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 60 | |
Other – Primary | 60 | |
Secondary | 40 | |
Parkway | ||
Limited Access | ||
B | Maximum Building Length Along a Frontage (feet) 2 | 400 |
C | Maximum Building Length Along a Frontage with Additional Design Elements (feet) 2, 3 | 600 |
D | Maximum Blank Wall Area – (Ground floor and upper floor; Horizontal or Vertical; Per building) (feet) 4 | |
Main Street | 20 | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 20 | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 20 | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | 20 | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 20 | |
Other – Primary | 20 | |
Secondary | 20 | |
Parkway | 50 | |
Limited Access | 50 | |
E | Minimum Ground Floor Height – Residential (Finished Floor Elevation to Finished Floor Elevation) (feet) 4, 5, 6, 7 | |
Main Street | 16 8 | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 10 | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 10 | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | 10 | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 10 | |
Other – Primary | 10 | |
Secondary | 10 | |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | 10 | |
Limited Access | ||
F | Minimum Ground Floor Height – Nonresidential and Mixed-Use (Finished Floor Elevation to Finished Floor Elevation) (feet) 5, 7 | |
Main Street | 16 8 | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 14 | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 14 | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | 14 | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 14 | |
Other – Primary | 14 | |
Secondary | 14 | |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | 14 | |
Limited Access | ||
G | Maximum Spacing for Required Prominent Entrances (feet) 4 | |
Main Street | 250 | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 250 | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | 250 | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | 250 | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | 250 | |
Other – Primary | 250 | |
Secondary | 250 | |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | 250 | |
Limited Access |
- Site Layout Standards
- Residential Site Layout Standards
The standards below establish site layout requirements for multi-family attached and multi-family stacked buildings within the NC Zoning District, either as standalone buildings or as components of multi-dwelling developments. These site layout requirements also apply to triplex and quadraplex buildings when these forms are components of a multi-dwelling development. Where standards below refer to a frontage, such standards apply to all frontages except parkways or limited access roads.
- Residential Site Layout Standards
Table 10-5: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Residential Site Layout Standards
Multi-Family Attached When Units Not on Sublots | Multi-Family Stacked | Multi-Family Attached When Units on Sublots | Triplex & Quadraplex Buildings in MDDs | |
---|---|---|---|---|
The primary pedestrian entry to each principal structure abutting a frontage shall face the frontage. On corner lots, the primary pedestrian entry may be oriented to either frontage. If a principal structure abuts both a frontage and common open space perpendicular to the frontage, the primary pedestrian entry may face the common open space1 if it meets the following:
| ✔ | ✔ | ||
The sidewalls of each principal structure abutting a frontage shall be oriented perpendicular to the frontage. On corner lots, sidewalls may be oriented perpendicularly to either frontage. If a principal structure abuts both a frontage and common open space, the sidewalls may orient perpendicularly to the common open space1 if it meets the following:
| ✔ | ✔ |
- Building Design Standards
- Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Building Design Standards
The following design standards apply to nonresidential and mixed-use buildings in the NC Zoning District.
- Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Building Design Standards
Table 10-6: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Building Design Standards
NC | |
---|---|
A frontage shall have a minimum of one prominent entrance, as defined in this Ordinance. The number of prominent entrances required shall be determined by the building length along the frontage and the maximum spacing in G of Table 10-3. In the case of a building located on a corner lot with two frontages, one prominent entrance located on the corner may count as a required prominent entrance for both frontages, subject to the following:
| |
Main Street | ✔ |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ |
2-3 Lane Avenue | ✔ |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | ✔ |
Other – Primary | ✔ |
Secondary | ✔ |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | ✔ |
Limited Access | |
A minimum of one ground floor entrance along each frontage facing facade, except for a Limited Access frontage, shall include a pedestrian connection between doors and adjacent pedestrian facilities, where such facilities are present or are required by this Ordinance. 1 | |
Main Street | ✔ |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ |
2-3 Lane Avenue | ✔ |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | ✔ |
Other – Primary | ✔ |
Secondary | ✔ |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | ✔ |
Limited Access | |
Where a building contains multiple tenant spaces on the ground floor abutting a frontage, each tenant space shall have a prominent entrance including a pedestrian connection between doors and adjacent pedestrian facilities, where such facilities are present or are required by this Ordinance. 1 | |
Main Street | ✔ |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ |
2-3 Lane Avenue | ✔ |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | ✔ |
Other – Primary | ✔ |
Secondary | ✔ |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | ✔ |
Limited Access | |
A minimum of one prominent entrance on the ground floor is required per building on a site. | ✔ |
Pedestrian-oriented ground-floor designs are encouraged, including arcades, galleries, colonnades, outdoor dining areas, and outdoor plazas. When integrated into the overall building design, such features are considered to meet any required build-to percentage. | |
Main Street | ✔ |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ |
2-3 Lane Avenue | ✔ |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | ✔ |
Other – Primary | ✔ |
Secondary | ✔ |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | ✔ |
Limited Access |
-
- Residential Building Design Standards
The following design standards apply to multi-family attached when units not on sublots and multi-family stacked development in the NC Zoning District.
- Residential Building Design Standards
Table 10-7: Neighborhood Center Zoning District Residential Building Design Standards
Multi-Family Attached When Units Not on Sublots | Multi-Family Stacked | |
---|---|---|
Facade Modulation | ||
Structures shall incorporate elements of variation on any façade facing a frontage, public open space, or common open space. Variation shall be achieved as follows:
| ||
Main Street | ✔ | ✔ |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ | ✔ |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ | ✔ |
2-3 Lane Avenue | ✔ | ✔ |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | ✔ | ✔ |
Other – Primary | ✔ | ✔ |
Secondary | ✔ | ✔ |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | ✔ | ✔ |
Limited Access | ||
Building Base and Entrance Design | ||
A frontage shall have a minimum of one prominent entrance, as defined in this Ordinance. The number of prominent entrances required shall be determined by the building length along the frontage and the maximum spacing in G of Table 10-3. In the case of a building located on a corner lot with two frontages, one prominent entrance located on the corner may count as a required prominent entrance for both frontages, subject to the following:
| ✔ | ✔ |
The primary pedestrian entry shall be a prominent entrance along a frontage as defined by this Ordinance, except for a Limited Access frontage. In the case of a building with individual units with multiple exterior entrances, at least one of the entrances for each individual unit shall be a prominent entrance and that entrance shall be located on the highest frontage classification as per the hierarchy in Section 3.5.D. | ||
Main Street | ✔ | ✔ |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ | ✔ |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ | ✔ |
2-3 Lane Avenue | ✔ | ✔ |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | ✔ | ✔ |
Other – Primary | ✔ | ✔ |
Secondary | ✔ | ✔ |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | ✔ | ✔ |
Limited Access | ||
All ground floor entrances to individual units on a frontage with a sidewalk shall be between 1’ and 5’ above the grade of the adjacent sidewalk when located within 10’ of the back of sidewalk. Residential units located below the grade of the adjacent sidewalk are permitted to have below-grade entrances, which shall be between 1’ and 3’ below the grade of the adjacent sidewalk. 1 | ||
Main Street | ✔ | ✔ |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ | ✔ |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ | ✔ |
2-3 Lane Avenue | ✔ | ✔ |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | ✔ | ✔ |
Other – Primary | ✔ | ✔ |
Secondary | ✔ | ✔ |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | ✔ | ✔ |
Limited Access | ||
Arcades, galleries, colonnades, outdoor plazas, outdoor dining areas, or similar pedestrian-oriented ground floor designs may be incorporated into facades. When provided, such features that are in line with the building facade above the ground floor are considered to meet any required build-to percentage. | ||
Main Street | ✔ | |
4-5 Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ | |
6 or more Lane Avenue/Boulevard | ✔ | |
2-3 Lane Avenue | ✔ | |
Transit Station, Off-Street Public Path, Public Park | ✔ | |
Other – Primary | ✔ | |
Secondary | ✔ | |
Parkway (when only frontage or adjacent to shared-use path) | ✔ | |
Limited Access |
- Building Materials
The following building materials are limited to 25% of each façade along a frontage. They may also be used as a component of construction when not a surface finish material without limitation. These restrictions do not apply to multi-family attached dwellings when units on sublots.- Corrugated metal siding; however, the reuse of pre-fabricated shipping containers is permitted and is not subject to this limitation, subject to compliance with the building code and other applicable codes
- Exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS) is prohibited on the ground floor of a multi-family dwelling (the 25% permission in item 1 above does not apply). This does not apply to multi-family attached dwellings when units on sublots.
- Plain concrete masonry units (CMU)
- Plastic
- T-111 composite plywood siding
- Vinyl
10.4 OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS
- New construction of a principal building of 1,000 square feet or greater and/or expansion of a principal building by 5,000 square feet or 20% of the building area, whichever is less, is required to provide on-site open space, except for development on sites of one-half acre or less in size.
- The design of open space shall meet the design requirements of Section 16.5.
- Based on the site area, development shall provide on-site open space as follows:
Table 10-8: Minimum Required Open Space | |
---|---|
NC | |
Total On-Site Open Space | Development shall provide a minimum of 10% on-site open space. |
Public On-Site Open Space (% of Total On-Site Open Space) | |
Commercial Development | A minimum of 50% of the on-site open space shall be public open space for commercial developments. |
Mixed-Use Development1 | A minimum of 25% of the on-site open space shall be public open space for mixed-use developments. |
- Residential on-site open space may be provided as land dedicated to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, a fee-in-lieu provided to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, or a combination thereof in accordance with the requirements of Section 16.5.
- Nonresidential and mixed-use on-site open space may be provided as land dedicated to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, a fee-in-lieu provided to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, or a combination thereof in accordance with the requirements of Section 16.5.
- For projects with multiple phases, the open space required for each phase, per this Section, shall be installed prior to completion of that phase.
10.5 ON-SITE PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY REQUIREMENTS
Standards for required on-site pedestrian connectivity are found in Section 16.6.
10.6 SUPPLEMENTAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
A. General Development Standards
General development standards are found in Article 16.
B. Accessory Structures
Standards for accessory structures are found in Article 17.
C. Architectural Features
Standards for architectural features are found in Article 18.
D. Off-Street Parking
Standards for off-street parking and bicycle parking are found in Article 19.
E. Landscaping and Screening
Landscaping and screening standards are found in Article 20.
F. Loading and Service
Standards for loading spaces and service areas are found in Article 21.
G. Signs
Standards for signs are found in Article 22.
H. Drainage
Standards for drainage are found in Article 24.